Scholarship Supporter: Tom Yetman

By John Wong

Dr. Thomas Yetman delivered babies in Michigan before moving to Seattle in 2006 to work for PacMed. Currently the CEO for Providence Medical Group NW Washington, Tom is passionate about education and supporting LGBTQ students.

When and why did you start donating to the GSBA Scholarship Fund?

PacMed was a Gold Sponsor of GSBA, and I was asked to host a table at the 2007 Taste of GSBA. I was struck by the mission of the Scholarship Fund and moved by the scholars’ stories, and began giving immediately. Education has been such a large part of my life and so essential to my career success. I believe that our community will succeed by helping all of our members to achieve their maximum potential. Helping our youth to complete their education is essential to this work.

Are there any particular scholar stories you found inspirational?

I am totally entranced by the stories of transgender people who I have met and in the media. As hard as it is to be gay or lesbian, I can only imagine the strength required to face the adversity that so many transgender people confront every day. I have so much admiration for those members of our community who have been able to be true to who they are and come out in this way. We have so much to learn from our transgender brothers and sisters.

Do you think LGBTQ students face more challenges to success in school/life than their heterosexual counterparts?

I do think that LGBTQ students face more challenges, because we have to deal with the world’s opinion of who we are and how we love. Being judged by a large portion of society has to affect one’s ability to learn and focus. Some parts of society are so ugly that it feels personal and that has to hurt at times. That is why it is so important to constantly send messages of love and support to our LGBTQ youth. They need to know that their family has their back and will always be there for them.

What would you say to someone is the most compelling reason to give to the GSBA Scholarship Fund?

Because the need is so great. And perhaps we have the chance to supporting the next Maya Angelou, the next Albert Einstein, the future Barack Obama when we support the GSBA Scholarship Fund. Who knows the wonderful things that society has been robbed of by not supporting some students in their educational aspirations?  Shame on us if we allow even one person with potential to wither and wilt for lack of education and opportunity.

Why do you continue to donate?

Because the need continues to be there. I will do what I can as long as there is even one LGBTQ student who needs to complete their education.

Your story is one of coming out later in life. You've seen a lot of scholars in their teens and early 20s come out as LGBTQ. What message do you have for them? 

Be true to yourself. You are supported by a large crowd of LGBTQ family members who love and support you. Never be afraid of owning your truth. There is great power in your truth. Your honesty and integrity will be a beacon to the world that LGBTQ is only one aspect of who you are. Your success in your career and your relationships will be the sign to the rest of the world that we are to be taken seriously and that our contributions are just as important and valued as any other member of society. When our culture sees people as people and not in terms of “gay” or “straight” we will have arrived at the society that we are meant to have. You are making that day closer by your proud and honest lives.

As a donor and philanthropist, what would you like your legacy to be?

He gave when the need was there. He supported for his family and community by loving and caring for them. He worked hard to be true to who he was and his life enriched those around him. In every way he endeavored to be honest and embraced his truth with vigor and enthusiasm. He made a difference.

Planned Giving - Using Your Head & Your Heart

By Sara Elward, Manager of Planned Giving at KCTS9 and member of the GSBA Scholarship Steering Committee. Republished from the Fall 2013 Perspective magazine.

Whenever you attend the Scholarship Awards Dinner or read a scholar profile in a GSBA publication, do you think, “These scholarship recipients are so amazing. I wish I could do more to support this program.” You can through a bequest in your will or trust.

USING YOUR HEAD

Making a bequest is easy. If you are creating a will or trust or if you are revising an existing one, you can make a provision for the GSBA Scholarship Fund in one of several ways including a specific bequest, a percentage of your estate or a contingent bequest. You can also consult your attorney about adding a codicil or amendment to an existing will or trust as a way of making such a gift.

Making a bequest is revocable. You can change your will during your lifetime to reflect your changing circumstances. Making a bequest of a percentage of your estate means that regardless of the size of the estate, the people and organizations like GSBA which have been important in your life, will be part of your legacy.

You retain control of your assets during your lifetime. Many of us are concerned about outliving our resources and a bequest means that all of our resources are available to us during our lives. Because the gift is not made until after your death, you eliminate any worry that you are giving away resources you might need.

You may reduce your estate taxes. If you have a taxable estate (currently anything over $2 million in Washington state and about $5 million for federal taxes), any amount you give to a charitable organization is removed from the taxable estate amount.

USING YOUR HEART

Like you, I care deeply about creating future LGBT leaders, about the crucial role education plays in creating them and about the message that these scholarships send to the recipients: You are a valuable person with a promising future and we are here to support you. The excitement and gratitude that is expressed by scholar after scholar let’s me know that these gifts have impact, now and far into the future beyond anything I can imagine.

If you would like to create a legacy of caring and hope, please consider a bequest to GSBA. You might want to establish a scholarship or make a gift to the endowment. There are many ways to include GSBA scholarships in your estate and we will be happy to help you create the legacy you want to leave behind.

Including GSBA in your will or trust is an easy, revocable way to make a larger gift than you may be able to make during your lifetime and it ensures that your personal legacy of commitment to the future of our community will be carried on after you are gone.

Sara’s Tip: If you have already included GSBA in your estate, please let Jessica Wootten (JessicaW@thegsba.org) know as we would like to welcome you to the Rainbow Club which recognizes our legacy donors.

Press Release: Shoreline Salon Raises Over $25,000 for Trafficking Victims

For immediate release: October 30, 2013

For more information, please contact: Kim Smith (206) 542-2226

 

Shoreline, WA.- The team at James Alan Salon & Spa has raised over $25,000 to the Justice and Soul Foundation in 2013.

The money has been raised to build a cosmetology school in Cambodia through the Justice & Soul Foundation. The mission of the school is to provide training and a sustainable career to survivors of the sex trafficking industry. Salon Owner Matthew Fairfax is the co-Founder of the Justice & Soul Foundation.

Salon team members have hosted an art show that included personal, hand-created items by several team members and offered for sale. All of the items were donated and included poetry, photography, and paintings. The art walk raised over $10,000 for the Justice & Soul Foundation.

In addition, team members have contributed $6500 to date to the Foundation through payroll deduction. Fairfax has matched that contribution for a total of $13,000 raised.

“The team at James Alan Salon & Spa has always believed that it’s important to support the community that supports us, and we’ve always participated in fundraising and community service efforts as a way to give back. By partnering with the Justice & Soul Foundation, we have the ability to truly transform lives and provide a sustainable future to victims of sex trafficking. And though we may

never meet the women we’re able to help, at James Alan Salon & Spa it’s a value to assist and support others when and where we can,” explained Salon Manager Kim Smith.

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The James Alan Salon& Spa offers a full range of services including waxing, make-up application, permanent cosmetics, hair extensions, and hair and skin care to meet the needs of a wide and diverse community. Voted Washington CEO Magazine’s “Best Small Company to Work For” in both 2003 and 2005, the team at James Alan Salon & Spa focuses on customer satisfaction as the primary goal.

The Justice & Soul Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on eliminating the sexual exploitation of young women and children globally as well as the restoration of the survivors. Through the Founders’ shared connections to the salon and fashion industry, and, after several years of research, planning and interviews, they are enlisting the support of the beauty industry to create a sustainable, systemic solution that addresses sex trafficking.

GSBA Named 2012 Outstanding Philanthropic Organization

On November 7, right in the midst of the excitement around Election Day and the approval of Referendum 74, GBSA was named Outstanding Philanthropic Organization by the Washington Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) at their 24^th annual National Philanthropy Day celebration.

GSBA shared the stage with five other incredible individuals and organizations that have done so much good work around Washington State.  Best of all, two of those awardees were also GSBA members – GirliePress (Outstanding Philanthropic Small Company) and Alaska Airlines (Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation).  As GBSA’s mission incorporates philanthropy alongside business, community and advocacy as a pillar of the organization, we are tremendously proud of this recognition for ourselves and for Girlie Press and Alaska Airlines.

AFP recognized GSBA with the following statement: 
Philanthropy is one of the four pillars of the Greater Seattle Business Association. That mission of combining business development, leadership and social action to expand economic opportunities for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and those who support equality for all has made the GSBA a national leader as the largest business chamber of its kind in the country. Always maintaining “philanthropy and advocacy” at the core of its business model, the most visible program is its scholarship fund, which has awarded $1.4 million to more than 300 students over the past two decades. In addition, the GSBA works to foster and strengthen the LGBT and allied community by encouraging its leaders to become involved in the greater community. “The culture of GSBA encourages everyone to become involved with local nonprofits,” says Lisa M. Stone, the executive director of Legal Voice.

Alaska Airlines was recognized for their tremendous impact in our region through donations, volunteer time and executive leadership. One quarter of all Make-A-Wish donations in Alaska and Washington are from Alaska Airlines. “The Alaska employees turn what is the most stressful time in a family’s life to a joyful, memorable experience,” says Laurie H. Schmertz, director of donor and corporate donations of Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington. Kim Nelson of Northwest Harvest adds that the enormous support from the company “exemplifies the best of corporate philanthropy and highlights the dedication of Alaska Airlines corporate leadership and employees to help their neighbors in need.”

Each year Girlie Press donates roughly 5% of its revenue – in the form of printing, services and materials – to local non-profits, integrating philanthropy into its business model and workplace culture. When Risa Blythe founded Girlie Press in the 1990s, she decided to create a culture of caring and to model giving. “I decided to start my business, in part, to support values that are important to me such as women’s issues, queer issues, neighborhood organizations and schools, arts projects, etc.” Through its giving, Girlie Press intentionally bolsters causes that are not widely supported by corporate and mainstream philanthropy. “Girlie Press leads the example of how businesses and non-profits can partner to build a mutually beneficial relationship,” says Philip Wong, director of communications for the Pride Foundation.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals writes “Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life.” This is a central pillar of GSBA’s mission, and we firmly believe that our commitment to giving back is tied to the health of our businesses and to our communities.  We are so proud to have Alaska Airlines and Girlie Press honored alongside us this year.

But, of course, one of the proudest moments of the luncheon was that we received the official word that Referendum 74 had been approved by the voters of Washington State, and Risa Blythe promptly proposed to her partner in her acceptance speech.

GSBA staff and Board at the AFP National Philanthropy Day luncheon

GSBA Named Outstanding Philanthropic Organization

GSBA Named Outstanding Philanthropic Organization

GSBA will be honored at the annual National Philanthropy Day awards ceremony on November 7, 2012

SEATTLE – The Association of Fundraising Professionals – Washington Chapter, has named the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) as its Outstanding Philanthropic Organization for 2012. GSBA was nominated by Michelle Johnson and Legal Voice.

GSBA will be recognized at AFP’s awards luncheon on November 7 at The Westin Seattle. This event is the largest celebration of philanthropy in the country, with over 1,000 guests.

The AFP has sponsored this annual awards program since 1989 to recognize outstanding philanthropic achievement in Washington State by an individual or couple, family, corporation, small business, foundation, organization and youth. Previous recipients include Group Health, Wells Fargo, Starbucks, Microsoft, SAFECO, PEMCO and Boeing.

The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA), founded in 1981 is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Chamber of Commerce in the United States. In addition to promoting business development, GSBA and its membership are committed to giving back to their community and understand that equality in business is not only the right thing to do but is also good for business. GSBA businesses understand the responsibility that business leaders have to invest in the next generation of leaders which is why, in 1990, GSBA founded the first LGBT Scholarship Fund in the nation.

The GSBA Scholarship Fund awards educational scholarships to undergraduate LGBT and straight allied students, who exhibit leadership potential, demonstrate strong academic abilities and are actively involved in school and community organizations. Scholars reflect a diverse group of students, from rural and urban areas, pursuing a wide range of professions and who have plans to positively impact their community. GSBA is committed to positioning today's students to become tomorrow's leaders. GSBA’s educational scholarship fund supports the community through providing financial support, role-modeling and hope to outstanding LGBT and allied students.

“GSBA’s Scholarship Fund allows us to connect with and encourage the future leaders of our community,” GSBA President & CEO Louise Chernin said. “Scholarship recipients have proven leadership skills, strong academic achievement and have demonstrated a commitment to making a positive difference in the world and their community.”

The GSBA Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to students who because of their sexual orientation, may have been discriminated against in school, may have lost family support and experienced bullying by their peers. As a marginalized group, these students may not have received financial aid from more traditional sources.

Over the years, the GSBA Scholarship Program has expanded its reach and its mission. Scholarships are now available to students of any age who are gay or questioning, or who come from gay families, or straight, allied students who are committed to working for civil rights in the LGBT community.

To date, the GSBA Scholarship Fund has awarded over 389 scholarships totaling over $1.4 million dollars to Washington state undergraduate students. GSBA scholarship awards range from $3,000 to $10,000. They provide significant support to students who often have little support from other sources. Last year alone GSBA awarded $182,000 to 43 students. In addition to financial support, having the acceptance and encouragement from business and professional leaders provides LGBTQA youth role models and the kind of validation important to all youngsters on the road to adulthood.